My Top Travel Photos of 2017

Two car crashes, two stolen phones, and two unmatching shoes at a work holiday party later, you can say I’m happy the new year has begun. Although 2017 was met with a bit of turmoil for both myself and my country (ahem, you know who I’m talking about), it turned out to be a pretty flipping great year.

After coming off of a 3 month solo backpacking trip at the end of 2016 I didn’t have high hopes for this past year in terms of travel. But ye of little faith! Just goes to show if you really want something, hustle to make it happen. So hustle I did. And to start the year off with a bang, I spent the first week of 2018 in Europe!

Besides that, my photo skills improved drastically this year. Like people are asking me for photo tips, me with her 8 year old Nikon D3000! Even though I’ve been involved with photography since high school (think old school film & darkroom style), I think it’s a testament that it’s not just the camera that captures a great shot. It’s the person, the lighting, the editing, the everything-else-under-the-sun.

However, the biggest game changer I’ve seen this year? Lightroom, Lightroom, Lightroom. Have I mentioned Lightroom yet? If you’re serious about getting your photos looking how you’ve always imagined them, then say hello to your new best friend. It takes some time to explore the program’s full functionality but heyooo, what up YouTube tutorials! These are some that got me started:

I’m even more stoked to start shooting on my new (to me) Nikon D90. If you’re like me and don’t have thousands of $$$ to drop on a new camera, buy it used! I purchased mine from a family friend but almost all local hobby and photo shops resell cameras and lenses.

I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be with my photo skillz but I have high hopes for 2018. So without much further ado, I present The Wayward Walruses Top Photos of 2017:

1. DANCING HOUSE |Prague, Czech Republic

After missing the Dancing House my first time around in Prague I was beyond stoked to accidentally walk right into it (at golden hour none the less!) during my second trip to Prague. Although Prague isn’t quite my cup of tea (you can read more about why here), it provides for some stellar architecture shots.

4. BROOKLYN BRIDGE | New York, New York

Everything from the chicken arm pose-to the location-to the people with me during this trip, it’s the essence of 2017.

5. MADRID | Spain

If 2017 taught me anything, it’s learning that I seriously love me some architecture shots. It probably spawns from my childhood desire to be an architect when I grew up. Since that didn’t happen, taking photos will have to suffice.

6. HOLZMARKT | Berlin, Germany

Also perfectly placed humans in front of dope murals in dope places was a thing for 2017.

7. SOUTH BEACH | Miami, Florida

After living my entire life in Florida, I finally made it down to Miami and South Beach for a proper holiday weekend. And man Miami is absolutely absurd, in the best way possible though. Check out my 72 hours in Miami here.

8. ARNOLD GROVE | Liverpool, England

But no other 2017 accomplishment compares to achieving my childhood dream of living like a Beatle for a day in Liverpool. Here we have the street sign for Arnold Grove, birthplace and childhood home to George Harrison.

9. STRANMILLIS | Belfast, Northern Ireland

And some some more perfectly placed humans. The lighting was just too good to pass up snapping a shot of these dragon goddesses.

10. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN | North Carolina, USA

We way up here! Seriously though, those white puffs to the left are clouds.

11. LAGAN MEADOWS | Belfast, Northern Ireland

This one I almost didn’t post, but it’s just too damn good. My parents are going to see this and tell me it’s distasteful but… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If you haven’t seen it yet, look again.

12. CHESTER ROWS | Chester, England

Looking for the quintessential English town to visit? Than look no further than the ancient Roman city of Chester. You can still see bits of the Roman empire throughout the city. Just as impressive are the Chester Rows, a covered walkway system built in the 13th century and the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

The Wayward Walrus

Hi, hey, hello there. We’re explorers, dreamers and (mostly) doers who seem to have their lives together on the outside but have a zest for life that extends beyond the comforts of home and occasionally, indoor plumbing. Our travel tales are a little quirky, a little awkward, and a little bit wayward. Welcome to The Wayward Walrus.

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